Bolting or cable splitting tree

[ClimbingTN]

I looked at this Sugar Maple today and I think it’s a goner. What y’all think. The homeowner wants to know if it can be saved by bolting or cabling. It’s a single trunk that Ys at about 6-7 ft. It’s split down to about 1.5ft. It was hit by the tornado a year ago. Has a full green canopy but a crack about 1” wide. I have no experience in this, just book knowledge. Maybe survive several years…who knows. Not going to hit the house.

 

[colb]

I looked at this Sugar Maple today and I think it’s a goner. What y’all think. The homeowner wants to know if it can be saved by bolting or cabling. It’s a single trunk that Ys at about 6-7 ft. It’s split down to about 1.5ft. It was hit by the tornado a year ago. Has a full green canopy but a crack about 1” wide. I have no experience in this, just book knowledge. Maybe survive several years…who knows. Not going to hit the house.

If it's not going to hit the house and it has a good leaf flush then it is a candidate for bracing and cabling.

 

[EasternArborist]

Removal

 

[flushcut]

If you are going the C&B route add in weight reduction pruning.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

More pics of the butt please

 

[evo]

I don’t know much about sugar maple, as we have so few of them on the island. I’d guess they are much more decay resistant than our bigleaf maples.
I’d say if there aren’t any targets it’s a great opportunity. Can’t get an idea on scale but certainly consider 3-4 rods with the last one above the union.
A fair crown reduction and a steel cable should get many more years out of the tree.

 

[Njdelaney]

Rod down low, cable up high, end weight reduction prior to cable installation.

 

[ClimbingTN]

More pics of the butt please

I didn’t take any more. What are you thinking or asking about?

 

[Njdelaney]

The presence or absence of decay is also a huge factor in this decision in my opinion. Absent decay, Sugar Maple is super hard and strong wood.

 

[southsoundtree]

Is there a Google street view?

 

[ClimbingTN]

I haven’t been back to measure or look for crud or bugs.

 

[ClimbingTN]

Thanks to all that commented on the discussion. HO wanted me to just drill holes and I replied with same price. I kinda figured that’s where this was going. The HO tried a DIY and got a spade bit stuck after asking a bunch of questions. I guess I’m too nice sometimes and brought my 1/2 hammer drill over and got it out. He then said I have all the stuff here…me that’s nice good luck. Didn’t even offer gas money.

 

[evo]

Thanks to all that commented on the discussion. HO wanted me to just drill holes and I replied with same price. I kinda figured that’s where this was going. The HO tried a DIY and got a spade bit stuck after asking a bunch of questions. I guess I’m too nice sometimes and brought my 1/2 hammer drill over and got it out. He then said I have all the stuff here…me that’s nice good luck. Didn’t even offer gas money.

Good riddance...

 

[Daniel]

High Cable is fine by itself... that would extend the trees life indefinitely. Decay will eventually get it, but it may be decades away.

You could add a single rod below the crotch if you want to support the trunk, but the split is already there... there's nothing that's going help it compartmentalize. And if the split continues down to the root flare, which it may or may not do with the cable alone, that's not going to matter much for structure or Decay, as long as the cable does its job